Perry County AlArchives History - Letters .....Elizabeth Marshall Carter Walker - Marion, Perry Co., Alabama - Very Old Letters Bef. 1864 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Shirley Mellon Dewberry dewberry@cableone.net July 27, 2010, 10:20 pm Note: Elizabeth Carter Walker was the daughter of Jesse Carter and Lydia Gunn. John Hornbuckle was Elizabeth's stepfather. Source: Copy of letter furnished by Mrs. Roberta Aurelia Roberts Mellon, daughter of Eliza Wyatt Hornbuckle Old Letter: Alabama Dec. 2, ? Note: The following was written prior 1864 by Elizabeth Marshall Carter Walker to her daughters, Julia and Susan, during a visit with her half-brother, William Hornbuckle in Marion, Alabama. William Hornbuckle died April 15, 1864. Dear Julia and Susan: I have got to my journey's end and in good health, free from suffering from my illness. We got here late Sunday evening, it took us four days to get here on account of bad roads, they were worse than you have any idea of. The first day we went thirty-one miles, stayed all night at a Mr. Hoods in ten miles of Pickensville, had very good fare, strong coffee, my bill six bits, the next day we went through P ickensville, stayed all night at a very good house in ten miles of Carlington, we had pie and coffee, they made no charge, they were friends of Mr. Hendrix. The next day we went through Carlingt on and Youton (?) crossed the Black Warrior and stopped at a Mr. Burgess in six miles of Greensboro, the best place on the road, and from there on to Marion. I know you are anxious to hear how I was received. We got there about half an hour before sundown, the doors were all shut up and I thought no one was at home. I got out of the carriage and went in and found no one but, Lydia Ann (Lydia Ann Hornbuckle). I said, "Do you take lodgers?" She jumped up like she was scared and said, "Why, Aunt Betsy, where did you come from?" She looked like she thought I was a ghost. My things were all taken out and we had hardly sat down until in pops Sally Blakely. "Oh I knew it was you! I saw you come along." She was going in at Mrs. Mitchell's. They live in the house Mrs. Dicas lived in just below where your Uncle Billy (William Hornbuckle)lived. Then the servants all came in and shook hands with me and showed me their children. Your Uncle Billy was gone to the plantation, not to be back until Saturday. They are sending Tommy(Thomas Howard Hornbuckle) off to war, he starts in the morning. Old Rachel has been to see me, it would make you sorry to look at her. She complains of pain and bad treatment. I must stop writing now, I am tired. I had no coffee this morning and my headaches. How in the world did you miss putting it in the carpetbag and I never missed it until Saturday night. I hope you will send it. Heaman's trunk was left, if you could send it with hers it might come safer. I know you can hardly read this but you must take it as you find it. Tell Mrs. Cash I will follow her advise, I will have good reason now. Tell Mrs. Lowe, Eliza (Eliza Wyatt Hornbuckle) was so proud of her fan. Your affectionate Mother, Elizabeth M. Walker My trip only cost me $1.75 *********************************************** Old Letter: Marion Alabama Dec 5 ???? The letter was written prior 1864 by Elizabeth Marshall Carter Walker to her daughters, Julia and Susan, during a visit with her half-brother, William Hornbuckle in Marion, Alabama. William Hornbuckle died April 15, 1864. My dear Children: (Julia and Susan) I have been to church this morning and communed one more, a privilege I never expect to have again. There was very little change, the same old house and everything as home like, the carpeting faded was the only difference. Mr. Stickney (William Augustus Stickney) came to see me the Saturday after I got here, he did not hear I was in town until the evening before. He was so much surprised to see me in Marion once more, he shook my hand in both his and laughed his same old laugh. He inquired about every member of the family, then branched out in round a bout way of talking, and I know so little how to answer, he is the same old Mr. Stickney only he is in better health. While he was in the parlor your Uncle Billy (William Hornbuckle) came in from the plantation. He came in and said "How do you do Sister, I am glad you have come, truly glad, how did you leave the children?" and the tears came in his eyes. He is a good kind brother and uncle, my reception here is so different from what I expected. Mrs. Hendrix put me out of heart as we came out here, she thought I would not be satisfied, the girls were so haughty and proud and had such curious ways. Lydia Ann (William Hornbuckle's daughter) is a good kin hearted girl, the more I see of her the better I like her. Elizabeth (Mary Elizabeth, William Hornbuckle's da ughter) I have only seen twice, she is married. They are all in trouble now, Mrs. England has lost her son that went in to the army, he had pneumonia. They are expecting his body on Monday. They are so many gone to war here that were children when we left. Mr. Thomson has two gone, Mrs. Locket has two gone, Mrs. Elliott has two gone, Lawler and William. Poor Mrs. Mitchel has two gone, she lives below where your Uncle Billy lives in Mrs. Dicas' house. I must stop now and tell you something that concerns myself. The Sunday after I came I went to church wearing my new Calico dress and Mrs. Elliott's bonnet and I don't know how I looked, I had no hoop and felt very slanky (?). Mrs. Brooks would have me go home with her and dine, and when I got about half way there I said, "Mrs. Brooks, I ought not to go with you today". "Why not?" she said, "Because you will have to send me home". She said she wouldn't do that. I thought of that cold morning I had to walk home, but I spent a very pleasant - - - (?) the canary birds sang. She has two very pretty girls since we left. Dr. Mors' Lucinda has been to see me and seem very glad to see me. She said she was looking for the doctor soon. Dr. Eiland (Erasmas Eiland) went off in the same company as Tommy (Thomas Howard Hornbuckle) to Mobile. I have now told you everything I can think of any my paper is nearly filled. I am sorry to tell you my illness has returned. I think it is caused by going up and down stairs, two flights. Lydia has put a bed down stairs. Devotedly Elizabeth Marshall Walker ******************************** Old Letter: Marion Alabama Jan 10 Note: The letter was written prior 1864. Dear Susan: (Elizabeth's daughter) The carpet bag has got here at last safe and sound. I had given them up for lost. Mr. Mitchell brought them on Wednesday, there was no one at home but Voilet (Eliza Hornbuckle's helper) and Louisa. Voilet says "Tell them I received him the best I could, I thanked him for bringing them and asked him what he charged for fetching them and that was the best I could do, that Mrs. Walker was out visiting and Miss Hornbuckle(Eliza) was not at home." I was very sorry I was not at home and hope he will come to see me before he leaves. There is no one here to invite him, your Uncle Billy is at the plantation and stays there two weeks at a time. How is it you did not get my letter, I wrote two weeks after the first letter? I wrote a good many things you would like to know. I hope you will get it yet. I am so glad you are getting along so well in your school and seem to be enjoying yourselves. Now I must tell you how I am getting along and how I employ my time. The other day Mr. Mitchell came I spent the day with Mrs. Oliver at Mrs. Oliver's old place. Mrs. Rutledge went with me, they sent the carriage back for Mrs. Hendrix and we all had a jolly time of it, It was equal to the old play of the old ladies. I wish you could have seen us talking over old times. Mrs. Hannah was there, she has grown on to be very fleshy. Miss Emily was there. I have spent one day with Mrs. Thames (?) Tams, Tamsan). Her daughters are grown up young ladies and are very handsome. She has a music teacher in the house. Mrs. Tamsan looks a great deal better than she used to, her goiter is enlarged but does not seem to affect her so much as it used to. She told me Mr. Stickney had quit visiting about among his member a much as he used to and did not seem so much interested in them. I suppose he thinks they can walk alone now. I go to service twice in the week and to church on Sundays. The church was dressed up beautifully on Christmas Day, an excellent sermon. I enjoyed it so much. With the exception of Christmas Day I have had a very dull time. Lydia Ann (Lydia Ann Hornbuckle) went to Gainesville on a visit and stayed two weeks and I had a very dull time, but it makes no difference as Louisa said. Mrs. Elliott is about the same as she used to be, sits in the same chair stitching away. She is like she always was only she puts on and tries to use a great many big words. She told me she was going to write you a real spicy letter so you may look out. She has made me a pretty hood and sent it to me this morning. You dislike hoods. It is all that is worn here for common bonnets. I found my old black bonnet would not do. I bought the materials for one dollar and a half.... I got a black bonnet when I first came here to wear to church. Elizabeth (Mary Elizabeth Hornbuckle England) has not been here to stay one half hour since I came... I called on her and Mrs. Logan the same morning. (The rest of the letter is missing.) Additional Comments: Elizabeth Marshall Carter Walker Born: 1790 South Carolina Died: After 1870 Note: She was a former resident of Marion, Perry County, Alabama Father: Jesse Carter Mother: Lydia Gunn Carter Hornbuckle File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/perry/history/letters/elizabet347gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 10.2 Kb